Meal almost didn't happen after soup kitchen's oven broke down

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Hundreds of people lined up for Easter Breakfast Thursday morning at Winnipeg's Agape Table.

The soup kitchen said 400 were expected for hot turkey sandwiches, mashed potatoes and carrots.

But the meal almost didn't make it to the feast.

Agape Table's oven broke down two weeks ago, and the kitchen manager was cooking turkeys three at a time, then freezing the cooked meat.

Diversity Food Services, which provides food services to the University of Winnipeg, stepped in Wednesday and let Agape use its ovens to cook the rest.

Andrew Okemow was one of the hundreds of people who had Easter dinner for breakfast at Winnipeg's Agape Table Thursday morning. (Sara Calnek/CBC)

Andrew Okemow got in line at 7:30 a.m. and had turkey for breakfast.

"It's the breakfast of champions," he said, smiling. But he said celebrating Easter this year is different.

"It's like a means to honour my father," he said. "I lost him four weeks ago. Easter without him is like, I just had to be here. Like most of these people on the streets are mostly like my family. They're good people."

Okemow said Agape Table does more than provide him with a hot meal.

"It's a place of serenity for me," he said." It's where I find my peace."

Winnipeg Blue Bombers alumnus Chris Cvetkovic was one of the servers. Juno-award winning musician Steve Bell played music while the crowd dined.

Agape Table is also holding a telethon Thursday, with the aim of raising $30,000 by 6 p.m.